Celebrating Erik Rhodes 1982-2012

It is with great sadness that we have confirmed the passing of Porn Superstar, Erik Rhodes. Erik died of a heart attack in his sleep this morning at 5:30 AM EDT. Rhodes had been a Falcon Exclusive for all but one scene in his entire career, and he rose quickly to Mega-Star status after his first DVD Super Soaked was released in 2004.

Chris Ward, Falcon/Raging Stallion Studios President offered the following statement: “We are deeply saddened by Erik’s passing. He was a part of our family and we are devastated. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.”

Friend and Falcon/Raging Stallion VP of Production, who worked with Erik for the entirety of his career, Adam Q. Robinson added, ““Erik was a stunning man and a bigger than life performer, who always gave 110% in his performances. He projected a man of steel on the outside, but he was as sweet as a teddy bear on the inside. He’s been a close friend for the past 8 years and will be deeply missed.”

Studio Statement:

“It is with utmost sadness that we make the announcement of Erik Rhodes’ passing. We offer our condolences to Erik’s family, friends and loved ones. He was a genuine and caring man with extraordinary attractiveness and a massive muscled frame. Erik was an equally beautiful human being who lit up a room, and brought fun and joy to our studio and his fans that was unparalleled. He was a giving person with a special wit, and he put his all into every performance. He wanted to give his fans the best he could every single time he stepped in front of the camera. Rest in peace, Erik and know that we are celebrating your life and your achievements, but we will miss you and all the special moments you have given us forever.”

Born in Long Island, New York in 1982, Erik recently celebrated his 30th birthday. Rhodes began his career with Falcon by signing as an Exclusive in September of 2004 at the age of 22, shooting only one scene prior to joining the Falcon team, and he had remained an exclusive ever since. Erik also directed eight Mustang Studios titles during his career. He recently began shooting with Raging Stallion Studios after it merged with Falcon in early 2011. His videography includes over 40 scenes filmed over the last 8 years.

Please join us in Celebrating Erik Rhodes by adding you thoughts and wishes to the comments below. Here is a retrospective gallery of images of Erik throughout his career at Falcon/Raging Stallion (we will be adding more images as the day progresses)!

Can’t believe I am waking up to this news. It hit me as hard as the Rob Sager (Brett Mycles) death… out of nowhere. It’s especially painful when a guy like James dies, a guy–looking at him from the outside anyway–who has everything going for him. Looks, talent, personality, charm… I hate to think he had a self-destructive streak. That he took way too many steroids for his body to handle. Anyway, I hope it happened the way they said, quietly in his sleep. We will miss you, James.

james washbington

June 15, 2012 at 10:02 am

may god bless his soul psalm 23

Ricky

June 15, 2012 at 10:03 am

I just can’t believe this, i don’t. Right now i feel devastated. Erik Rhodes were always the men of my dreams, i grew up watching his videos, this is completely incredible, i am writing this lines and i can’t stop crying. Amazing person, sweet, sexy and sooooo friendly with his fans, is the end of an era.
R.I.P Erik you’ll be always the man of my dreams.

I was taken back, by Erik Rhodes (aka James) death. I didn’t know the demons that he faced… or what his personal life was like… but, I enjoyed watching his work, and I’m sure he gave many people many wonderful moments… and we’ll all will miss him… but I’m grateful for what he did give us, with his time with us.

Polinestor

June 15, 2012 at 11:03 am

From Ecuador my prays to all family and friends of Erik … From yesterday another star is in the Sky shining to guide our way on earth … RIP ERIK RHODES

I remember the first time i saw his picture on the Internet.. i was in awe of him. I know this might sound corny , but he was beautiful on the outside… but behind those eyes you can see there was something dark inside . I remember his myspace page when it was the popular site to go on and he had this one picture that he seem happy and it was with his little pup Tank. i think i will always remember his happiest moment with that picture. James as you were a star on earth to so many people you touched. you will be a true star for so many others to look at when you come out at night . May god bless you

Steve Harriman

June 15, 2012 at 11:51 am

I had become friends with Erik on Fcbk and had the good fortune of chatting with him and he was a wonderful guy to chat with. Even went so far as to help me with a specialized exercise program due to my severe lower back disk problems as I chatted with him time to time one time I kiddingly referred to him as the (BIG GENTLE GIANT ) HE laughed and told me he thought that was pretty cool. I also very much enjoyed watching him on screen and he seemed to totally get into the character role he would play weather it be a top or a btm.
He will be sadly missed. And I send my prayers/thoughtsout to his partner/family friends and coworkers that knew him closely So Erik/James may you RIP and your spirit always be around us .

Ken F

June 15, 2012 at 12:53 pm

I am saddened by this. Not just because of his death, but because I fell we all contributed. Erik grew to view himself as the embodiment of his image, and harmed himself maintaining that. We (his fans) and particularly Falcon must bear some of the responsibility for that. I hope the studio takes a look at this and takes measures to insure that other “muscle” performers are not hurting themselves this way.

mr. Pam

June 15, 2012 at 12:53 pm

Erik, i can’t believe you left us so soon. Thanks for always making me laugh and going along with our funny antics on the Tim & Roma Show and beyond. I will always laugh remembering you giving an old lady shit in the castro because she didn’t want a free t-shirt, she gave it right back at ya. So funny! You had no censor and I loved that about you!! I’m glad we got to hang out one last time in chicago for the grabby’s. You were the star of the live taping at charlie’s! Always up for flipping off my camera or sitting on parker’s face. You Always make me laugh! You’re a big giant teddy bear and one of a kind. Thanks for being so sweet and a legend in your time. You are missed so much by so many. big hugs & kisses… save a spot up there for me… more fun to be had!
Love, your fan always….
mr. Pam

Raziel Kainne

June 15, 2012 at 1:15 pm

i was stunned to read the news of erik’s death, today. wow, this is most unexpected. my condolences to all of those he loved and knew him. take care– raze

Jorge

June 15, 2012 at 4:53 pm

RIP,EVEN THAT I NEVER KNOW YOU I DO RESPET EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO ,IN THIS BUSINESS TO PLEASE,SATISFY AND GIVE US DREAMS,AND TO MAKES US GO TO BED W ITH A BIG SMILE,THANK YOU TO ALL THE ADULTS ENTERTAINERS FOR MAKING A DIFERENCE.,MY CONDOLENCE TO HIS LOVE ONES AND FAMILY,AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE MEMORIES YOU LEFT IN US.

I met Erik every year at the GayVN and Grabby Awards as well as events in NYC when I was there. He was always nice and friendly and happy to see me there and was always great with all the other pornstars and fans. A truly great guy. I will miss him!

Rob

June 15, 2012 at 6:03 pm

James / Erik…….. My thoughts and prayers go out to your brother, partner and entire family……….You will be missed !!

Tim

June 15, 2012 at 6:30 pm

I loved when Falcon put Behind the Scenes footage on their DVDs. Erik Rhodes and Matthew Rush would constantly harass and insult each other. They went at each other like two brothers. They love to one up each other, but you could see the love between them. Those scenes gave us a glimpse of the funny, caring individual behind the hot man we all lusted after.. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

James

June 15, 2012 at 6:55 pm

I discovered Erik today after perusing gay websites which announced his death. I went to his blog and have been immersed all day in his life as a complicated, self-destructive, intellectual porn star. Now, all these hours later, I feel that I know him and the sadness he felt. Thus, these are my cursory, if not instructional, observations. As a young gay man, I was always provided constant attention for my pretty boy looks and was, as a result, swiftly drawn into a superficial sexual carousel which was never completely satisfying to me . Like Erik, I found for a while an escape through drugs and alcohol–and a dislocation from myself that altered my ability to be authentic. I aged, established no permanent relationship, eliminated the chemicals, and extracted myself from any commitment to the gay culture. Unfortunately, it seems Erik made the choice to be a gay Kardashian when, in reality, he could only maintain the beauty stuff for a limited period in his life. He was, therefore, racing the clock with the roids and other diversions and using his remarkable blog to tell the other side of his life story. It is his reality and his blog recount of it that has so compelled me today and given perspective and understanding to my own life. I think his blog was his way to reveal the real self and to make conversant what is in the human psyche-and his very big heart. His blog was a “letter” to us all and the essence which we feel give us value. Erik’s death was surely self-directed. Regrettably, he must have felt that in in his perpetual gay world that most people wouldn’t see the considerable depth and essence of his being. His blog revealed that he loved music. That was James, But did he realize the song many of us heard from the life he lived?

dubianjun

June 15, 2012 at 7:18 pm

Erik,I love you forever.

robert

June 15, 2012 at 8:07 pm

r.i.p

olivier from France

June 15, 2012 at 8:22 pm

My thoughts and prayer for you familly and your brother, friends too.

I am really sad of this news.

I hope you’ll find a better world know. For us it will stays sadness and tears and your memory

You miss me soon and i never forget you and your smile

Rest in Peace my friend

Daniel

June 15, 2012 at 9:03 pm

Man, very sad news, loved his work. Watching him fuck and get fucked. He was like a man of my dreams. R. I. P. Erik

Ufreak

June 15, 2012 at 9:56 pm

RIP Erik.

Les

June 15, 2012 at 11:49 pm

Erik, be at peace with the angels smiling at us from above. Thank you for enriching my life. Condolences to your family and friends. God bless.

EDDY

June 15, 2012 at 11:59 pm

a great human being and a great actor erik rhodes, my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and definitely a superstar RIP

Richard

June 16, 2012 at 7:15 am

It’s always sad to hear of someone dying young. Even more so when depression seems to be one of the factors and this seems to the case in James’ death. My thoughts go out his family and friends. Rest in peace James.

I liked Erik for a long times, proberly at the beginning of his career even though I’m 23. A watched his scenes and behind the scenes stuff and he struck me as a normal man trying to make his place in the world as we are all. Erik rest in peace man, you deserve all the happiness from whatever afterlife you part take in.

Matt Janson

June 16, 2012 at 11:42 pm

I didn’t know Erik, I’m just a fan. But am so sad and shocked from the news. Erik, you brought pleasure to many a man with your performances. Gone too soon, you will be missed. You truly are a stud. Rest in Peace. I send my condolences to his family and friends.

Reggie

June 17, 2012 at 10:27 am

Erik Rhodes is a greatest super star of Falcon studios!
R.I.P. and You are now the star in the sky!